Ornithogalum plant named &#39;BCOR -09.001&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Ornithogalum dubium  named ‘BCOR-09.001’ resulting from a controlled hybridization. The new cultivar ‘BCOR-09.001’ has R.H.S. 24 A (orange group) tepals at maturity, erect and strong racemes which resist bending under low light conditions, a long blooming habit and broad, channeled leaves.

Botanical classification: Ornithogalum dubium ‘BCOR-09.001’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCOR-09.001’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Lilaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Ornithogalum dubium ‘BCOR-09.001’.

The new cultivar is the result of controlled crossing of commercial varieties.

The new variety ‘BCOR-09.001’ is differentiated from other commercial varieties known to the inventor as shown in the table below.

TABLE 1 ‘Lourdes’ ‘Chesapeake Unpatented ‘Bethlehem’ Snowflake’ ‘Orangezicht’ Commerical U.S. Plant Pat. U.S. Plant Pat. U.S. Plant Pat. New Variety Variety No. 21,427 No. 13,200 No. 12,226 BCOR-09.001 Rachis/Raceme 40 to 50 cm 43 cm 20-30 cm 26 cm 40 to 50 cm height Rachis color Varies between R.H.S. 146A Not reported Not reported Mature stem R.H.S. 146B, R.H.S. 146A R.H.S. 147B, (green group) or Immature stem R.H.S. 145D R.H.S. 146D (yellow-green group) Reflexed No Yes Not reported Leaves lay flat Most upright; leaves on ground some slightly reflexed Leaf color R.H.S. 137A R.H.S. 146A R.H.S. 143B Upper surface Immature R.H.S. 137A 137C (green or 147A group); Mature 144A (yellow- green group) Floret diameter 30 mm 70 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 40 mm Tepal height 30 mm 36 mm 20-25 mm 25-27 mm 25-27 mm Tepal Color R.H.S. 25A R.H.S. 155C R.H.S. 155A-D Varies R.H.S. 24A between R.H.S. 25A, R.H.S. 25D, or R.H.S. 28A Tepal Spot R.H.S. 152B R.H.S. 152A R.H.S. 147A R.H.S. 200B R.H.S. 152A Color

The new variety is suitable for commercial sale as a potted plant.

The new cultivar ‘BCOR-09.001’ has been asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in a nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCOR-09.001’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the new variety showing its form.

FIG. 2 is a top view of two inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the base of the plant of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the top of the inflorescence of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a floret of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of an inflorescence of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures were grown in 6″ pots. The plants were started in a greenhouse from leaf cuttings.

‘BCOR-09.001’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross of commercial varieties.         -   Form.—Spreading basal leaves with upright inflorescences on             tall rachis. A typical plant with a mature inflorescence             that is ready for sale at ten months is approximately 40 to             50 cm high when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil             amendments. Plants shown are 47 cm high.         -   Growth.—Upright rachis with upright, leaves. Inflorescence             is large and showy.         -   Rachis.—The rachis is upright and glaucous. Its color varies             between R.H.S. 146 D (yellow-green group) when younger and             R.H.S. 146 A (yellow-green group), at maturity of the             inflorescence. Diameter is 9 mm. The length of the rachis to             the first floret and bract pair is 30 cm. Rachis or stem at             its base is 10 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Usually three to five leaves surround each rachis             on a mature plant ready for commercial sale. Leaves are             whorled at base of stem. Shape of leaf. — Fleshy,             channel-shaped, lanceolate. Margins are entire. Apex is             acute. Texture. — Glaucescent. Color. — Mature leaves are             R.H.S. 144 A (yellow group) on both abaxial and adaxial             surfaces. Large leaves are 35 cm long and 4.5 cm wide.             Immature leaves are R.H.S. 137 C (green group). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Corymbose racemes. Indeterminate. Approximately 50 or             more individual florets per inflorescence on pedicels that             elongate as the florets opens, and on average are as long as             120 mm for mature florets. Apical buds on developed             inflorescences are predominately green — R.H.S. 145 D             (yellow-green group), with their apex being R.H.S. 146 B             (yellow-green group), 1.2-1.5 cm tall and have diameter of 5             mm wide. The rachis for the inflorescence is strong and             upright. The pedicels are 3 mm wide, glabrous and similar in             color to the rachis at their point of attachment.         -   Size of Inflorescence.—Large. A typical inflorescence at             this age, as shown in the figures can be 15 cm high.         -   Shape.—Basal florets opening first with pedicels that             elongate that give the raceme a corymbose appearance as the             inflorescence ages.         -   Appearance.—Showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The florets at the base of the inflorescence open             first, and open more and more as the inflorescence ages.             Florets are perfect and complete. Perianth is not keeled.             Each floret is associated with a bract that can be as wide             as 20 mm and as high as 27 mm when floret is beginning to             open, and has tips that are R.H.S. 137 B (green group). Tips             of bract are darkest part of bract. Color of bracts fade as             inflorescence ages and bracts continue to elongate. The             bracts are ovate with narrowly acute apexes and relatively             wide bases and reflexed/curled around radius. Perianth:             There are 6 ovate tepals that are predominately R.H.S. 24 A             (orange group) on their abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Tepals             have a spot at their base. The color of the spot on the             adaxial surface is R.H.S. 152A (yellow-green group). Color             of the spot on the abaxial surface spot is R.H.S. 143 A             (green group). Spot fades as floret ages. Floret diameter:             40 mm. Tepals of mature florets are typically 25-27 mm high,             20 mm wide at their widest point, and 5 mm wide at their             attachment. The spot is most prominent on the immature             tepals where the spotted base is approximately 5 mm high and             extends the width of the tepal at the base. Apex shape of             the tepal is abruptly acuminate.         -   Stamens.—6 stamens (two sets of 3). Pollen is R.H.S. 14 A             (yellow-orange group). Plant produces abundant pollen.             Filament is wide with basal wiring. Filament is 3 mm wide at             base and 4 mm high. Anther is 3 mm high and basally             attached. Filament base is R.H.S. 155 A (white group).             Anther is R.H.S. 152 B (yellow-green group) before opening             to reveal pollen.         -   Stigma.—Generally, a three-pronged stigma on one pistil per             floret. The style is 2 mm long. The stigma is approximately             2 mm long.         -   Ovary.—The ovary is three-celled with axile placentae. The             top of the ovary is R.H.S. 139 A (green group). The ovary is             8 mm high and has a diameter of 4 mm.         -   Fragrance.—Florets product a very mild citrus-like             fragrance, if any. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Ornithogalum plant named ‘BCOR-09.001’ substantially as herein shown and described. 